Chess variant game and method

ABSTRACT

An exemplary embodiment of a chess game variant comprises a game board and four sets of eighteen chess pieces each. The game board has an inner zone and four panel zones thereabout. The inner zone presents eighty-one playing positions in a nine-by-nine square array. Each panel zone presents twenty-seven playing positions arranged in a three-by-nine rectangular array. The board includes universal rows which adapt for chess-like play on an unbalanced board. Each set of game pieces include institutional pieces and citizen pieces. Most of the citizen pieces are matched in status with corresponding institutional pieces, and are subject to rules of promotion which are driven, in part, by these status relationships. Most of the game pieces include covert or overt markings, which also drive game play and strategy. In certain aspects of game play, a player may take control of the game pieces of one or more opposing players.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/403,087 filed Nov. 21, 2014, which is a U.S. National Stage ofInternational Application No. PCT/U.S.2013/042318 filed May 22, 2013,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/688,771filed May 22, 2012, the contents of each of which are incorporated bythis reference in their entireties for all purposes as if fully setforth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to board and computer games.More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements inchess-type game kits and methods.

BACKGROUND

Precursors and variations of the game of chess have been played for over1000 years. Examples of some relatively recent variations includefour-player chess as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,666, and thosewhich introduce non-conventional pieces with specialized functions, suchas the games described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,666. Many other variantsare described at Chess Variants website www.chessvariants.org. What isneeded is a chess variant which introduces further aspects of chance andgame play strategy over the prior art.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to kits, methods and computer programsfor playing a variant of the game of chess.

A game may comprise a game board and four sets of eighteen chess pieces.A game board may have a first axis, a second axis generallyperpendicular thereto, an inner zone centered at the intersection of thefirst and second axes, a first pair of panel zones disposed along thefirst axis on opposing sides of the inner zone, and a second pair ofpanel zones disposed along the second axis on opposing sides of theinner zone. The inner zone may present eighty-one playing positions (forexample, playing squares) in a square array. Each panel zone may presenttwenty-seven playing positions arranged in a three-by-nine rectangulararray. The playing positions may extend along the first axis and secondaxis generally forming respective universal rows which intersect todivide the remaining playing positions into distinct quadrants. Theplaying positions within each quadrant alternate between having a firstcolor and a second color in a checkerboard pattern. A majority of theplaying positions within the universal rows define universal playingpositions. Each universal playing position may have a first colorportion, a second color portion and two universal color portions. Auniversal color portion of each universal playing position generallyadjoins one of the universal color portions of at least one adjacentuniversal playing position.

Each set of game pieces may include a subset of institutional pieces anda subset of citizen pieces. Each subset of institutional pieces mayinclude at least a government piece, an ideology piece, a media piece, amilitary piece, and a corporate piece. Each subset of citizen pieces mayinclude at least an ambassador piece, a scholar piece, a reporter piece,an agent piece and an executive piece.

Each subset of institutional pieces includes one government piece, twoideology pieces, two media pieces, two military pieces and two corporatepieces. Each subset of citizen pieces includes one ambassador piece, twoscholar pieces, two reporter pieces, two agent pieces and two executivepieces. Within each subset of institutional pieces, (i) one ideologypiece, one media piece, one military piece and one corporate pieceincludes overt markings; and (ii) one ideology piece, one media piece,one military piece and one corporate piece includes covert markings.Within each subset of citizen pieces, (i) one scholar piece, onereporter piece, one agent piece and one executive piece includes overtmarkings; and (ii) one scholar piece, one reporter piece, one agentpiece and one executive piece includes covert markings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to thoseskilled in the art with the benefit of the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of one embodiment of a game kit inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of one example of a game board inaccordance with the present invention, particularly illustrating thecomposition of a board inner zone, four panel zones disposed thereabout,and a pair of universal rows;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of one example of a game board similar tothat shown in FIG. 2, but depicting the arrangement of four boardquadrants defined in part by the pair of universal rows extending alongrespective axes;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of one example of an individual player setof game pieces of various configurations, most or all of which may becharacterized as either an institutional piece or a citizen piece;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of one example of movement logic which mayapply when a game piece traverses a portion of a universal row from adiagonal direction;

FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of an example of movement logic which mayapply when a game piece traverses a portion of a universal row from adiagonal direction and can take advantage of the universal center squareat the intersection of the pair of universal rows; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of one example of a media game piece(covert), illustrating the token portion and base portion of the gamepiece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding features throughout the several views.

Preferred Game Kit Embodiments

Embodiments of the game methods disclosed herein utilize a plurality ofdistinguishable sets of game pieces and additional elements and featureswhich, particularly in combination, provide an increased level ofstrategic game play over traditional chess. Referring to FIG. 1, a gamekit 100 may comprise a game board 102, a four-sided die 116, and 72total game pieces (such as those shown at 146). Referring to FIG. 7 forexample, each game piece may have a base portion 198 and a token portion200 above the respective base portion. Referring to FIG. 4 for adepiction of one example of an individual set of game pieces 146, thegame pieces may preferably be divided into four individual player 146sets of 18 game pieces each. Each player set 146 may be distinguishablefrom the others by virtue of, for example, the use of different colors,finishes or materials between the four sets. Alternatively or inaddition, the bases of each player set 146 may be shaped differentlyfrom each of the other three sets.

Referring again to FIG. 4, each player set 146 may include twocategories of game pieces: institutional pieces 150 (“institutions”) andcitizen pieces 148 (“citizens”). The institutional pieces 150 maypreferably come in five configurations: Government (identified in thefigures by “G”), Ideology (identified by “I”), Media (identified by“Me”), Military (identified by “MI”), and Corporate (identified by “C”).Similarly, the citizen pieces 148 may preferably come in fiveconfigurations: Ambassador (identified by “AM”), Scholar (identified by“S”), Reporter (identified by “R”), Agent (identified by “A”) andExecutive (identified by “E”). Moreover, all game pieces except theGovernment and Ambassador pieces may preferably have the markings “C” or“0” on their base (or equivalent designations). These covert markingsand overt markings designate whether the respective piece is consideredCovert or Overt.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a complete player set 146 may preferablyinclude the following game pieces: Overt Corporate 152, Covert Military154, Overt Media 156, Covert Ideology 158, Government 160, OvertIdeology 162, Covert Media 164, Overt Military 166, Covert Corporate168, Covert Executive 170, Overt Agent 172, Covert Reporter 174, OvertScholar 176, Ambassador 178, Covert Scholar 180, Overt Reporter 182,Covert Agent 184, and Overt Executive 186.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in certain preferred embodiments a gameboard 102 includes a first axis 140 and a second axis 142, and maycomprise an inner zone 104 and four panel zones (see, for example, firstpanel zone 106) disposed thereabout. The four panel zones are typicallypaired along respective axes on opposing sides of the inner zone 104.The inner zone 104 may preferably present eighty-one squares in anine-by-nine configuration. The panel zones (such as the one at 106) maypreferably present twenty-seven squares in a three-by-nineconfiguration. Certain of the squares on the game board 102 may defineuniversal rows 118, which facilitate the traversal of game pieces on anunbalanced board. Referring to FIG. 3 for illustration, the universalrows 118 may intersect one another to divide substantially the entiregame board 102 into four quadrants 144. The squares of each quadrant 144may preferably alternate between, for example, light squares 108 anddark squares 110 in a checkered pattern.

As illustrated for example in FIG. 2, universal rows 188 may preferablyinclude a multiplicity of universal squares 120 (more generically,“universal playing positions”), an intersection square 128 (moregenerically, “intersection playing position”) and four universal endsquares 188 (more generically, “universal end playing positions”) eachof which corresponds to a respective panel zone. Universal squares 120may each comprise a first color portion (e.g., “light” portion) 122, asecond color portion (e.g., “dark portion”) 124 and a generally opposingpair of universal color portions 126 (depicted herein as striped areas)each of which may represent both light and dark portions. In particularpreferred embodiments, the intersection square 128 and the universal endsquares 188 can be used as either a light square or dark squares in themovement of game pieces during game play (e.g., like a wild cardsquare). In preferred embodiments, the universal squares 120 representlogic which allows game pieces to traverse discontinuities in thecheckerboard pattern presented on the majority of the game board.Examples and implementations of this logic are depicted in FIGS. 5 and6.

At a conceptual level, each game piece category and configuration isdesigned to reflect a certain philosophy and/or entity within the globalcontext of the game. The Government piece represents the center ofpower, the governing body, the Capital, the Imperial City, and or theSenate, and is in control of all of the other pieces. The Ideology piecerepresents Cathedrals, Mosques, Synagogues, Temples, and or Universitiesand the belief systems and power associated with those institutions andideologies that effect governments and countries overtly and covertly.Some examples to include but not limited to teaching of doctrine,indoctrination, missionary work, non-profit organization creation inwhich all can be overtly or covertly. The Media piece represents thepower of the Press, television, movies, and communication in general andits ability to effect governments and countries overtly and covertly.Some examples to include but not limited to are overt actions such asnews agencies, breaking headlines, docudramas, advertisements and covertactions such as propaganda, misinformation, information leaks, falsereports. The Military piece represents armed services, naval power,Battle Groups, Task Forces and their abilities to effect governments andcountries overtly and covertly. Some examples to include but not limitedto are overt actions such as missile strikes, invasion forces,blockades, military advisors and covert actions such as raids, coups,intelligence gathering, spying, sabotage. The Corporate piece representsbanking & industry power, Consortiums, Syndicates, Conglomerates andtheir abilities to effect governments and countries overtly andcovertly. Some examples to include but not limited to are overt actionssuch as corporate mergers, expansions, takeovers, free trade, embargosand covert actions such as corporate espionage, money laundering, blackmarketeering, private armies.

In embodiments, the game board and game pieces may be configured to berepresented graphically on a graphical user interface of a computingdevice, and at least one of the sets of game pieces may be configured tobe moved by a respective player by way of the computing device.

Preferred Initial Game Piece Placement

FIG. 1 illustrates preferred initial game piece placement for anembodiment of the method of game play discussed herein. The game piecesare placed on the game board 102 so that each player's game piecesoccupy a respective panel zone 106. Further, the institutional pieces150 within each player set 146 are placed within the institutional row112 of the respective panel zone. Similarly, the citizen pieces 148within each player set 146 are placed within the citizen row 114 of therespective panel zone.

In certain preferred embodiments, each player has pieces of adistinctive color, two of the colors being of light hue and two of thecolors being dark hue. The two players with the reverse or oppositecolored pieces (e.g., white and black) may preferably sit opposite(facing) each other, as would the other set (e.g., red and gold).

With regard to initial placement of the overt and covert marked pieces,in one embodiment of the game method, when placing game pieces on thegame board 102 the default rule may require that the covert game piecesmust be placed on a dark color squares and the overt pieces must beplaced on light color squares at the start of the game (as illustrated,for example, in FIG. 1). Alternative embodiments of the game play methodmay require the covert game pieces to be placed on light color squaresand overt pieces placed on dark color squares at the start of the game.The preferred order of initial game piece placement along the receptiverows (i.e., institutional row 112 and citizen row 114) is depicted inFIG. 1.

General Rules for Game Piece Movement

In preferred embodiments of a method of playing the game, each player,in turn, moves one of their playing pieces from one square on the gameboard to another according to respective restrictions on the movementcapabilities of each game piece. In certain preferred embodiments of thegame method, each player may begin by rolling the 4-sided die (oractivating an equivalent device), and the player rolling the highest (orlowest) number moves first. Game play may then continue from that pointto the next player in a clockwise (or counterclockwise) fashion. Duringa respective turn (and when otherwise allowed), any player may move oneof their playing pieces to a square occupied by an opponent's piece andsubsequently thereto, removing the respective opponent's piece as anindication that the opponent's piece has been captured.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in embodiments, the universal squares 120and the intersection square 128 may preferably form or track along thehorizontal and vertical axis (e.g., 140 and 142) of the game board 102and may affect certain moves and attacks through them or on them. Inembodiments, when any game piece, Institutional or Citizen, is locatedon a universal square 120, it can be attacked by any game piece that canmove to that square in accordance to the respective movement rules ofthe that piece. FIGS. 5 and 6 provide examples of the allowable movementpathways (194 and 196, respectively) of a respective game piece throughuniversal squares 120 and the intersection square 128. Importantly, thesquares residing along the universal rows 118 (e.g., universal squares120, and intersection square 128) allow for the logical diagonal andhorizontal movement of the game pieces across the game board 102 andmake it possible for each player to maneuver an odd number ofinstitutional and citizen pieces. Referring to FIG. 5 for exampleillustration, the trans-universal pathway shown generally at 190 is thefunctional equivalent of the resulting movement logic shown generally at192.

By way of example in reference to FIG. 2, a first player movementcompass 138 is oriented specifically with respect to its correspondingpanel zone (first panel zone 106). The forward direction 130 is thedirection toward the panel zone disposed oppositely of the first panelzone 106. The backward direction 132 is back toward the first panel zone106. The left and right lateral directions 134 and 136, respectively(otherwise referred to herein as horizontal directions) are generallyperpendicular to the respective forward direction. Diagonal movement mayoccur in a direction generally 45 degrees from respective forward orbackward directions. It should be understood that each of the otherthree panel zones has its own movement compass (not shown) which isoriented to the respective panel zone in a manner identical to therelationship between the first panel zone 106 and first movement compass138 (i.e., with the forward direction toward the opposing disposed panelzone).

Citizen Game Piece Movement and Attack Rules

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, in preferred embodiments the first two movesof each citizen piece 148 can only be in the forward direction inrelationship to its originating panel zone. After their first two moves,respective citizen pieces 148 can move one square forward, horizontalleft or horizontal right. In preferred embodiments, a citizen piece cannever move in a manner that would be considered back towards itsoriginal starting panel (i.e., backwards). This may otherwise bereferred to herein as the “backwards rule.”

In certain preferred embodiments, citizen pieces can only attackdiagonally, and the diagonally attack cannot violate the backwards rule.When a player's citizen piece is head-to-head with an opposing player'scitizen piece they are considered what is known as “en passant” which isused in standard chess.

In particular preferred embodiments, citizens can be captured “frombehind” (on the diagonal) by opposing citizens on their flanks. Althoughcitizens still capture in the same fashion (on the diagonals) using thismethodology, citizens can attack other game pieces at any diagonal thatdoes not violate the backwards rule for citizens.

In preferred embodiments, when a player's citizen advances to anopponent's panel board and the row that is located farthest from theinner board (Institutional Row) it can be promoted. This is referred toas a “Power Shift” and that piece is promoted in the following manner:the player must verify if the piece is an overt square (light colored),universal square, or covert (dark colored). If the citizen piece is onan overt square, the citizen will be promoted to an overt institutionalpiece. If the citizen piece is on a covert square, the citizen will bepromoted to a covert institutional piece. If the citizen piece is on auniversal square, the citizen can be promoted to an overt or covertinstitutional piece. All citizens' pieces except for the Ambassador canonly promote to an institutional piece of the same status (i.e., Agentto Military; Reporter to Media, etc.). Only the Ambassador piece can bepromoted to any institutional piece.

Citizen Game Piece Movement and Attack Rules

In preferred embodiments, similarly to a rook in traditional chess, theCorporate piece can move vertically or horizontally one or many squaresper turn. Similarly to a knight in traditional chess, the Military piecemay move three squares straight (forward or backward) and one left orright, or one square left or right then three squares straight per turn.The Military piece is typically the only piece that jumps through itsmove and can only attack another piece at the end of its move. Similarlyto the bishop in chess, the Media piece can move diagonally one or manysquares per turn and can only move on squares that are the same in coloras the one during set up. Diagonal passage through universal squaresrequires the Media piece to remain on its original colored square.Similarly to the queen in traditional chess, the Ideology piece can movein any one direction one square or many squares per turn. Whendiagonally passing through universal squares the Ideology piece must endit move on same colored square it started its move. Similarly to theking in traditional chess, the Government piece can move in anydirection one square per turn.

Player Objectives

In embodiment of the game method in accordance with the presentinvention, the objective of the game is for a player to destroy, captureor neutralize the Government piece of all other opponents whilepreventing their own Government piece from being destroyed, captured, orneutralized. Each player defends their own Government piece (or“Capital”) against the other three opponents while attempting to win thegame by outright destroying, capturing or neutralizing the three enemygovernments whenever they become exposed to direct attack by saidplayer's piece. The winner of the game is the last player remaining onthe board after all other opponents' Capitals have been destroyed,captured or neutralized during the course of play.

The Threat Rule

In certain preferred embodiments, when a player moves a piece in aposition which will allow it to outright attack the Government piece ofan opponent in its next move, that player must announce it by saying“Threat.” Failing to announce “Threat” will prevent that player fromattacking the Government piece under Threat in their next turn. When aplayer's Government piece is “Threatened” that player must wait untiltheir turn before the player can respond. A player is out of the game iftheir Government piece is destroyed, captured or neutralized.

A Government piece is considered destroyed when that piece is taken byan opposing player's Overt Institution piece or Overt Citizen piece. Theplayer whose Government piece is taken becomes defeated or “inactive.”In preferred embodiments, the effect of this is that the remainingplayers must roll a four-sided die. Whichever active player rolls thelowest number (or alternatively, highest) will now have control of thedefeated player's remaining pieces and can move them during what wouldhave been the turn of the defeated player.

A government piece is considered captured when that piece is taken by anopposing player's Covert Institution piece or Covert Citizen piece. Theeffect of this is the player who captured outright the government piecewill now have control of the defeated player's remaining pieces and canmove them during what would have been the turn of the defeated player.

A government piece is considered neutralized when that piece is taken byan opposing player's Overt Institution piece or Overt Citizen piece andthe defeated player rolls the lowest number. None of the remainingactive players gets control of the defeated player remaining pieces.Rather, those remaining pieces are considered neutralized. This meansremaining active players cannot move through the defeated player'sremaining pieces but can capture them to remove them from the board.

Illegal Order

In particular preferred embodiments, an illegal order occurs when aplayer moves one of their pieces while not making an attempt to remove aThreat to its Government piece. That move must be taken back. It is notan illegal order if a player whose Government piece has received a“Threat” moves a piece which in doing so removes the Threat but createsa “Blindside” on an opponent's government piece (as described below).

The Sanctions Rule

In certain preferred embodiments, if during their turn a player can makeno legal move even though a Threat has not been imposed on that player'sGovernment piece, that player is considered to be “Under Sanctions” andtheir turn is skipped but they remain in the game. The player is nolonger Under Sanctions when they are able to make a legal move or theirGovernment piece is under Threat. In chess, if you have no legal movethen that is checkmate (you're taken out of the game). In preferredembodiments of the present game method, when a player has no legal moveavailable, they are Under Sanctions.

Blind Side

In particular preferred embodiments, an exception to the Threat Rule mayexist in which it is possible for a Government piece to become exposedto direct attack and be destroyed, captured, or neutralized without“Threat” being announced. This may arise if a player, by moving a piece,inadvertently or deliberately opens up a direct line of attack betweenany opponent piece and another opponent's Government piece. The playerwhose piece now has this direct line of attack can attack that exposedplayer's Government piece when their turn occurs if that opponent'sGovernment piece is still exposed to that attack. This is called a“Blindside Attack.”

Team Play

In certain preferred embodiments, team play may be permitted. In teamplay partners must play across from one another and partners are notallowed to communicate their moves or strategy to each other or warn theother of an ill-advised move. Moreover, the team that destroys, capturesor neutralizes one of the other team's Government pieces wins.

All of the components of the game kit 100 described herein, includingthe game board 102, the die and the game pieces, may be represented in acomputer-implemented form of the game (e.g., graphically by way of a GUIon the screen of a computing device). Correspondingly, the game methodsdescribed herein may be implemented in physical format or may beperformed as computer-implemented methods. Further, non-transitorycomputer-readable media may contain a set of instructions which, whenperformed by one or more computer processes, causes or enables one ormore of the game methods described herein to be played on one or morerespective computing devices.

Certain embodiments of the methods herein may comprise the followingsteps:

-   -   initially positioning each set of game pieces within a        respective one of the panel zones;    -   sequentially alternating turns among the players;    -   implementing rules of player game piece movement wherein:        -   (a) each citizen piece may be moved with respect to its            panel zone one playing position per move, the first two            moves of each citizen piece being in its forward direction,            and the moves thereafter for the respective piece being in            either its forward or lateral directions;        -   (b) each government piece may be moved with respect to its            panel zone in accordance with the standard rules of chess            for a king;        -   (c) each ideology piece may be moved with respect to its            panel zone in accordance with the standard rules of chess            for a queen;        -   (d) each media piece may be moved with respect to its panel            zone in accordance with the standard rules of chess for a            bishop;        -   (e) each military piece may be moved with respect to its            panel zone in accordance with the standard chess rules of            chess for a knight;        -   (f) each corporate piece may be moved with respect to its            panel zone in accordance with standard chess rules for a            rook;    -   wherein the universal playing positions provide movement logic        which allow a localized exception to strict diagonal movement of        respective game pieces traversing one of the universal rows.

If any terms are used but not specifically defined herein, those termsmay take on their respective meaning as applied in the conventional gameof chess. While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate anddescribe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used inthe specification are words of description rather than limitation, andit is understood that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game comprising: a game board having a firstaxis, and a second axis generally perpendicular thereto, an inner zonecentered at the intersection of the first and second axes, a first pairof panel zones disposed along the first axis on opposing sides of theinner zone, and a second pair of panel zones disposed along the secondaxis on opposing sides of the inner zone, the inner zone presentingeighty-one playing positions in a square array, each panel zonepresenting twenty-seven playing positions arranged in a three-by-ninerectangular array, the playing positions which extend along the firstaxis and second axis generally forming respective universal rows whichintersect to divide the remaining playing positions into distinctquadrants, the playing positions within each quadrant alternatingbetween having a first color and a second color in a checkerboardpattern, a majority of the playing positions within the universal rowsdefining universal playing positions; and four sets of eighteen gamepieces, each set of game pieces including a subset of institutionalpieces and a subset of citizen pieces, each subset of institutionalpieces including at least a government piece, an ideology piece, a mediapiece, a military piece, and a corporate piece, each subset of citizenpieces including at least an ambassador piece, a scholar piece, areporter piece, an agent piece and an executive piece.
 2. A game asdefined in claim 1, wherein each universal playing position has a firstcolor portion, a second color portion and two universal color portions,a universal color portion of each universal playing position generallyadjoining one of the universal color portions of at least one adjacentuniversal playing position.
 3. A game as defined in claim 1, whereineach subset of institutional pieces includes one government piece, twoideology pieces, two media pieces, two military pieces and two corporatepieces; and each subset of citizen pieces includes one ambassador piece,two scholar pieces, two reporter pieces, two agent pieces and twoexecutive pieces.
 4. A game as defined in claim 3, wherein: (a) withineach subset of institutional pieces, (i) one ideology piece, one mediapiece, one military piece and one corporate piece includes overtmarkings; and (ii) one ideology piece, one media piece, one militarypiece and one corporate piece includes covert markings; and (b) withineach subset of citizen pieces, (i) one scholar piece, one reporterpiece, one agent piece and one executive piece includes overt markings;and (ii) one scholar piece, one reporter piece, one agent piece and oneexecutive piece includes covert markings.
 5. A game as defined in claim1, further comprising a 4-sided die.
 6. A game as defined in claim 1wherein the game board and game pieces are configured to be representedgraphically on a graphical user interface of a computing device, and atleast one of the sets of game pieces is configured to be moved by arespective player by way of the computing device.
 7. A method of playinga game by four players, the method comprising the steps of: providing agame board having a first axis, a second axis generally perpendicularthereto, an inner zone centered at the intersection of the first andsecond axes, a first pair of panel zones disposed along the first axison opposing sides of the inner zone, and a second pair of panel zonesdisposed along the second axis on opposing sides of the inner zone, theinner zone presenting eighty-one playing positions in a square array,each panel zone presenting twenty-seven playing positions arranged in athree-by-nine rectangular array, each panel zone corresponding to arespective one of the players and having respective forward, backward,lateral and diagonal movement directions, each forward direction beingtoward the respective opposing panel zone, the playing positions whichextend along the first axis and second axis generally forming respectiveuniversal rows which intersect to divide the remaining playing positionsinto distinct quadrants, the playing positions within each quadrantalternating between having a first color and a second color in acheckerboard pattern, a majority of the playing positions within theuniversal rows defining universal playing positions; and supplying a setof eighteen game pieces for each of the players, each set of game piecesincluding a subset of citizen pieces and a subset of institutionalpieces, each subset of institutional pieces including at least agovernment piece, an ideology piece, a media piece, a military piece,and a corporate piece, each subset of citizen pieces including at leastan ambassador piece, a scholar piece, a reporter piece, an agent pieceand an executive piece; initially positioning each set of game pieceswithin a respective one of the panel zones; sequentially alternatingturns among the players; implementing rules of player game piecemovement wherein: (a) each citizen piece may be moved with respect toits panel zone one playing position per move, the first two moves ofeach citizen piece being in its forward direction, and the movesthereafter for the respective piece being in either its forward orlateral directions; (b) each government piece may be moved with respectto its panel zone in accordance with the standard rules of chess for aking; (c) each ideology piece may be moved with respect to its panelzone in accordance with the standard rules of chess for a queen; (d)each media piece may be moved with respect to its panel zone inaccordance with the standard rules of chess for a bishop; (e) eachmilitary piece may be moved with respect to its panel zone in accordancewith the standard chess rules of chess for a knight; (f) each corporatepiece may be moved with respect to its panel zone in accordance withstandard chess rules for a rook; wherein the universal playing positionsprovide movement logic which allow a localized exception to strictdiagonal movement of respective game pieces traversing one of theuniversal rows.
 8. A method as defined in claim 7 wherein: each subsetof institutional pieces includes one government piece, two ideologypieces, two media pieces, two military pieces and two corporate pieces;and each subset of citizen pieces includes one ambassador piece, twoscholar pieces, two reporter pieces, two agent pieces and two executivepieces.
 9. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein: (a) within eachsubset of institutional pieces, (i) one ideology piece, one media piece,one military piece and one corporate piece includes overt markings; and(ii) one ideology piece, one media piece, one military piece and onecorporate piece includes covert markings; and (b) within each subset ofcitizen pieces, (i) one scholar piece, one reporter piece, one agentpiece and one executive piece includes overt markings; and (ii) onescholar piece, one reporter piece, one agent piece and one executivepiece includes covert markings.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein: theplaying positions at the ends of the universal rows are defined asuniversal end playing positions; each panel zone includes a rearmostintuitional row; when a citizen piece of one player advances to theinstitutional row of another player, it is promoted in accordance with apromotion rule in which: (i) if the respective citizen piece is on aplaying position of the first color, the citizen piece will be promotedto an institutional piece with overt markings; (ii) if the citizen pieceis on a playing position of the second color, the citizen piece will bepromoted to an institutional piece with covert markings; (iii) if thecitizen piece is on a universal end playing position, the citizen can bepromoted to an institutional piece with overt or covert markings; (iv)all citizen pieces except the ambassador piece can only promote to aninstitutional piece of matching status, wherein agent pieces matchmilitary pieces, reporter pieces match media pieces, scholar piecesmatch ideology pieces and executive pieces match corporate pieces; and(v) only the ambassador pieces can be promoted to any institutionalpiece.